Libertarian to Challenge Wittman for House Seat

Newport News resident and Libertarian Xavian Draper seeks to challenge incumbent Republican Rob Wittman to represent part of Virginia — including much of the Historic Triangle — in the House of Representatives. Draper, a U.S. Air Force Reservist, is pictured here with his family.

A U.S. Air Force reservist is hoping to be on the ballot in November as the Libertarian candidate for the first district of the U.S. House of Representatives, a seat currently held by Republican Rob Wittman.

Xavian Draper has already launched a campaign website and is now seeking signatures from valid voters in the first district, which includes all of York County and Williamsburg and much of James City County. He must collect at least 1,000 valid signatures, though he seeks 1,500, which is the number recommended by the Virginia State Board of Elections to ensure at least 1,000 valid signatures are present.

According to his website, Draper, who is known as “Xave” by friends and family, is a Newport News resident. He served 14 years of active duty with the U.S. Air Force, including stints in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is now a lieutenant colonel in the reserves. He is running for Congress as a result of his “deep concern for the future of our state and our country,” according to his website.

“Xave is dissatisfied by the current practice of political leaders to stray from representing their fellow citizens in favor of personal aggrandizement, power, and wealth — flowing from their corporate cronies and the uber-rich and powerful with personal agendas. He detests the ultimate exploitation of those same citizens,” according to his website.

On his website, Draper says three questions will guide him as a lawmaker:

Is it allowed by the constitution?

Can we afford it?

Is it fair and non-discriminatory?

He seeks to unseat Wittman, a three-term Republican who has served in elected office since 1986. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Natural Resources. He is also a co-chiar of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Caucus, a congressional group seeking to promite issues related to the Bay.

Draper’s website lists policy positions on issues including the Second Amendment, civil liberties, the criminal justice system, education, the environment, government spending, health care, immigration, job creation, economic growth, national defense and taxes. To read about his policy stances, visit his website by clicking here.